Hope you enjoyed your trial.

Hey there, time traveller!This article was published 9/7/2013 (1539 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg is putting the property tax increase to work.

The city approved a 3.87% property tax increase as part of its budget process in January, with one percentage point of that — approximately $14 million — dedicated to repairing roads and back lanes.

DAN FALLOON/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS

Mayor Sam Katz speaks at a press conference at the corner of Walden Crescent and Blue Heron Crescent on July 4. Walden Crescent is one of 17 streets that will be repaired using money from the Local Street Renewal Reserve Fund.

PHOTO BY DAN FALLOON

An excavator is shown near the corner of Walden Crescent and Blue Heron Crescent in Transcona. Walden Crescent is one of 17 streets that will be repaired using money from the Local Street Renewal Reserve Fund.

This year, 17 roads and four back lanes will be repaired.

After an announcement at the corner of Walden Crescent and Blue Heron Crescent in Transcona on July 4, Mayor Sam Katz said engineers recommended which roads were in most dire straits.

"I try to make sure it’s always professionals making these decisions and we keep the politicians out of it," Katz said.

Katz said he would like to see the program continue, considering 20% of local roads are in poor condition and another 15% are in need of immediate maintenance.

"The goal is to carry it forward, there’s no question," Katz said. "The hope was to continue it for 20 years, doing it for one year at a time. Future councils will make the decision. That’s the only way to address these problems."

Katz said he’s grateful to the federal government for the GST rebate, but would like to see a similar rebate from the province with the PST in order to help get even more done.

You can comment on most stories on The Winnipeg Free Press website. You can also agree or disagree with other comments.
All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.